Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement on former FBI director James Comey’s testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

“Director Comey’s testimony regarding his conversations with President Trump shows a troubling pattern of intimidation and coercion. These revelations, and the President’s repeated disregard for the FBI’s independence, are yet another example of the Trump Administration’s refusal to respect our most important institutions.

“By demanding Director Comey’s loyalty and bullying him to drop his investigation into Trump’s associates, the President may have obstructed justice, but at the very least he has furthered the case for a thorough and independent investigation into ties between the Trump Campaign and the Russian Government. I am also disappointed by many Congressional Republicans who continue to bend over backwards to defend the President’s actions despite overwhelming evidence. We owe our loyalty to the American people and the Constitution, not to political parties or the President. The American people must now be reassured that our law enforcement community has the independence and resources necessary to carry out their work, and that the highest levels of government are above the influence of foreign governments.”